SA_F_2015_04_

50 SA Flyer

For the first time that I can

remember, the number

of TCA and NTCA added

are exactly the same – 14

each. Usually the NTCA

numbers exceed the TCA

numbers.

O

N the TCA (Type Certified Aircraft) side

we see two new Embraer EMB135LRs

registered to Airlink. They are steadily

replacing their Jetstreams with the Embraer.

Further additions include two new

Jonker Bros. Revelations, a new Caravan

for Jemax Air Charter, two more Airvans

(which will probably go to Botswana),

three helicopters and a Bombardier CL600

Challenger. This Challenger was once

operated by the Canadian Air Force and

has been around for a while. Another Air

Tractor for FFA Assets (Working on fire) has

been added.

The most interesting addition, for me, is

the Fairchild 24R-46A Argus. This aircraft

started out as a ‘Lend Lease’ aircraft in

1945. It was shipped from the factory to the
      RAF in Egypt during World War 2 for use
      by the SAAF as a communications aircraft,
      but was put into storage in Cairo and wasn’t
      used during the war at all.
      At the end of the war all these aircraft
      were supposed to be returned to the USA,
      but the US decided they didn’t need them
      and they were put up for sale in Egypt.
      Around 70 of these aircraft were sold to
      various companies and individuals in South
      Africa. The biggest buyer was Comair,
      followed closely by African Air Charter Co.

Many of the aeroplanes were assembled in

Egypt and flown south by SAAF pilots who

were returning home after the war.

There was a slight problem with this

arrangement in that the aircraft carried

civilian registrations but the pilots did not

have civilian licences. They decided not to

tell anybody and went ahead with the ferry

flights anyway. If the pilots were questioned

along the way, they were to say that their

licences were in the post.

ZS-BAM was one of those flown to

South Africa. It was flown here for many

years and was re-registered ZS-WDD as

an LS1 aircraft in 1988. Acquired by its

present owner in 2002, it was totally rebuilt

and put back on the register as ZS-BAM

but it has taken since 2002 until now for the

paperwork to catch up. ZS-BAM is painted

in its original RAF markings with the RAF

serial of KK521.

On the NTCA (Non-Type Certified

Aircraft) side we see two more Aerospatiale

Gazelles registered. There has been a

problem registering these helicopters

as they are all ex-military aircraft and

Armscor would initially not allow them to

be registered. This obstacle has now been

overcome and I think we’ll see quite a few

more Gazelles coming onto the register in

REGISTER REVIEW - RAY WATTS

Searay Amphibian. A similar one is now registered in South Africa.

FEBRUARY 2015

AIRLINERS.NET

Ray Watts

N208LM, now ZS-JUM during

import C of A inspection.

ZS-ALX Grumman Gulfstream 1 was exported to the DRC.

Ray Watts